► people people in general, or people other than yourself: People sometimes make fun of my name. The advertising is aimed at young people.
► the public ordinary people, not people who are members of the government or other special organizations: The building will be open to the public on weekends.
► society all the people who live in a country: Volunteer groups make a huge contribution to society.
► the human race all the people in the world, considered as a group: Pollution is a threat to the future of the whole human race.
► mankind/humankind people in general. Used especially when talking about human history or development: Traveling into space was a great achievement for mankind.
► humanity formal all people in general. Used especially when you are talking about people’s rights and living conditions: Thirty percent of humanity live in conditions of terrible poverty.
► populace formal the ordinary people who live in a country: Higher taxes could bring financial hardship to the general populace.
► population all the people who live in a town or country. Used when saying how many people live there, or giving facts about them: Only about a fifth of the population of the country consider themselves to be religious.